Public Service Commission of Wyoming denies Rocky Mountain Power request to reduce QF PPA contract term from 20 to 3 years

Posted by Meghan Dutton5.20sc on July 22, 2016

In 2015 Rocky Mountain Power filed an application with the Wyoming Public Service Commission to reduce the contract term for PURPA power purchase agreements with qualifying facilities from 20 to 3 years.

Similar efforts have been made in other states (Idaho, Oregon, and Utah) with varying levels of success. In Wyoming, the Public Service Commission denied the request, concluding that RMP failed to meet its burden to demonstrate that the proposed modification was reasonable, would solve an alleged system-wide problem, and would be in the public interest of Wyoming ratepayers. The Commission’s Order also directed Rocky Mountain Power to initiate a collaborative process to address reforms to Wyoming's PPA process and avoided cost methodology.